No need to let them down gently, just give them an honest answer, and it treat it like any other business proposition.
Ask HN: Friend wants to go 50/50 on an "app idea", how do I let him down gently?
11–15 of 15 posts
Re: Ask HN: Friend wants to go 50/50 on an "app idea", how do I let him down gently?
#12As you said yourself: He is your friend. If you don't believe the idea is good, I suggest you tell him. Friends should strive to tell each other their honest opinion.
Re: Ask HN: Friend wants to go 50/50 on an "app idea", how do I let him down gently?
#13Derek Sivers has a good phrase:
"Ideas are just a multiplier of execution" http://sivers.org/multiply
A variety of: "Ideas are nothing, implementation and people everything."
Re: Ask HN: Friend wants to go 50/50 on an "app idea", how do I let him down gently?
#14If he is a friend just be honest.
If you think it is a genuinely good idea then say. Maybe offer to be his goto. So when he has issues, or just needs to talk about something related to the project he can come to you.
Re: Ask HN: Friend wants to go 50/50 on an "app idea", how do I let him down gently?
#15"Imagine the most beautiful landscape. Now paint it. Now you understand why your great idea for an app is only 1% of the work done."
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